Former President Donald Trump speaks before he boards his plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on August 3 in Arlington, Va. Alex Brandon/AP
Prosecutors in the office of special counsel Jack Smith propose a start date of Jan. 2, 2024, for former President Donald Trump’s trial on charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The trial is estimated to last about four to six weeks. In a new filing, the government lawyers argue that a January 2 trial date would uphold the public’s constitutional right to a speedy trial. They emphasize the significance of the case, given that the defendant, a former president, is accused of conspiring to overturn the legitimate election results, obstructing the certification of the election results, and discounting citizens’ legitimate votes.
Despite being the front runner for the GOP nomination in 2024, Trump has expressed a desire to delay the case, potentially until after the next election. If he regains the White House, he could instruct his attorney general to drop the case or even pardon himself. Trump has entered a not guilty plea to the federal charges. Prosecutors contend that there is no need for such a lengthy delay and are prepared to provide witness interviews, grand jury transcripts, and evidence obtained through search warrants in an easily accessible format.
Both sides are scheduled to appear in court in Washington, D.C. on Friday to discuss the terms of a protective order, which could restrict Trump from sharing sensitive information on social media or elsewhere before the trial. Trump’s attorneys will respond to the proposal in writing in the coming days, with the final decision resting with Judge Tanya Chutkan in D.C.
In addition to the trial in Washington, Trump also faces legal proceedings in Manhattan and Florida in 2024. He is set to face trial in Manhattan on charges related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in March 2024. In May 2024, he is scheduled to go to trial in Florida on charges including willful retention of national defense information and obstruction, pertaining to classified papers stored at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has expressed openness to moving the New York trial, subject to the approval of the judge involved.